Refrigerator

ABSTRACT

A refrigerator is provided, including a case that forms a predetermined space separated from an outside thereof, a storage chamber provided in the case, a component chamber partitioned from the storage chamber within the case, the component chamber housing at least a compressor or a condenser, a thermoelectric device to generate electricity based on a temperature difference, and a display to display operational information related to the refrigerator. The thermoelectric device may include a first surface exposed to a high temperature area and a second surface exposed to a low temperature area to produce electricity using the temperature difference between the two areas.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to KoreanApplication No. 10-2011-0069854 filed in Korea on Jul. 14, 2011, whoseentire disclosure is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Embodiments as broadly described herein relate to a refrigerator.

2. Background

Generally, a refrigerator includes a component chamber provided in alower portion of a case to house various mechanical components. Forexample, a freezing cycle unit may be housed in the component chamber,including, for example, a compressor for changing a low temperature andlow pressure gaseous refrigerant into a high temperature and highpressure gaseous refrigerant, a condenser for changing the hightemperature and high pressure gaseous refrigerant into a hightemperature and high pressure fluidal refrigerant, and an evaporator forabsorbing an external heat while changing the low temperature and highpressure fluidal refrigerant changed in the condenser into a gaseousrefrigerant. As refrigerator capacity increases, power consumptiontypically increases. Accordingly, the electric power consumed tomaintain cold air inside such an increased capacity refrigerator may beincreased disadvantageously.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments will be described in detail with reference to thefollowing drawings in which like reference numerals refer to likeelements wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a thermoelectric device as embodied andbroadly described herein;

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of a refrigerator in accordancewith embodiment as broadly described herein;

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of a refrigerator in accordancewith embodiment as broadly described herein;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a refrigerator in accordancewith embodiment as broadly described herein; and

FIG. 5 is a front view of a refrigerator in accordance with anembodiment as broadly described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various exemplary embodiments will be described in detail in referenceto the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1 thermoelectric device 40 may employ the Seebeckeffect. The Seebeck effect, found by T. J Seebeck in Germany in 1821,indicates that electric currents flow by an electromotive forcegenerated when a temperature difference is applied to two differentmetals or semiconductors. This may be called a Thermo-electric effectand a potential difference generated in this instance may be called athermo-electromotive force. The thermo-electric effect may becategorized into the Seebeck effect that achieves the electromotiveforce by using a temperature difference between two materials, a Peltiereffect that performs cooling or heating using the electromotive force,or a Thomson effect that generates the electromotive force using atemperature difference in a band structure of a conductor. In otherwords, the thermoelectric device 40 makes use of a phenomenon in whichelectric currents are generated in a circuit having a high temperaturecontact and the other low temperature contact after two different kindsof metal materials are connected with each other.

The thermoelectric device 40 shown in FIG. 1 includes a first surface 42exposed to a relatively high temperature area and a second surface 44exposed to a relatively low temperature area. The first surface 42 andthe second surface 44 may be formed of two different metal materials,respectively, to realize the thermo-electric effect described above.

The term “relatively” used above may refer to a standard used incomparing a space where the first surface 42 is exposed with a spacewhere the second surface 44 is exposed.

For example, the temperature of the space where the first surface 42 isexposed may be 30° C. and the temperature of the space where the secondsurface 44 is exposed may be 25° C. In this instance, the space wherethe first surface 42 is exposed may have a relatively high temperatureand the space where the second surface 44 is exposed may have arelatively low temperature.

Similarly, in another example, the temperature of the space where thefirst surface 42 is exposed may be 20° C. and the temperature of thespace where the second surface 44 is exposed may be 15° C. In thisinstance, the space where the first surface 42 is exposed may have arelatively high temperature and that the space where the second surface44 is exposed may have a relatively low temperature. Numerous differenttemperatures may be appropriate.

The first surface 42 may include a first heat exchanger fin 43 tofacilitate heat exchange. The first heat exchanger fin 43 may enlarge aheat exchanging area of the first surface 42. Accordingly, heat exchangemay be efficiently performed between the first surface 42 and the spacewhere the first surface 42 is exposed. The first heat exchanger fin 43may include a plurality of fins formed perpendicular with respect to thefirst surface 42.

The second surface 44 may include a second heat exchanger fin 45 tofacilitate heat exchange. The second heat exchanger fin 45 may enlarge aheat exchanging area of the second surface 44. Accordingly, heatexchange may be efficiently performed between the second surface 44 andthe space where the second surface 44 is exposed. The second heatexchanger fin 45 may include a plurality of fins formed perpendicularwith respect to the second surface 44.

An electricity storage device 50 may be further provided to store theelectricity generated by the thermoelectric device 40. In certaincircumstances, the electricity generated by the thermoelectric device 40may be relatively small amount, and the electricity stored in theelectricity storage device 50 may be used in a special situation whenelectricity is supplied abnormally. The electricity storage device 50may include, for example, a rechargeable battery and the electricitygenerated by the thermoelectric device 40 may be charged in theelectricity storage device 50.

Furthermore, a display 54 may be provided to receive the electricitygenerated by the thermoelectric device 40. The display 54 may display,for example, operational information of the refrigerator, or anothervariety of information. In addition, the display 54 may include a panelfor enabling the user to control an operation state of the refrigerator.Such a display 54 used in a refrigerator or other type of appliance mayconsume a relatively small amount of electricity. Accordingly, thedisplay 54 may be smoothly operated by the supply of the electricitygenerated by the thermoelectric device 40.

The display 54 may be simultaneously or selectively operated by theelectricity generated by the thermoelectric device 40 and electricitysupplied by a common external power supply source. For example, thedisplay 54 may be operated by the electricity generated by thethermoelectric device 40 when a supply of external electric power isinterrupted. The display 54 may be directly supplied with electricityfrom the thermoelectric device 40 by an electric wire.

Even if an electric power failure occurs, a difference betweentemperatures inside the refrigerator may be maintained for apredetermined time period and electricity may be generated by thethermoelectric device 40 accordingly. As a result, the display 54 may bedriven by the thermoelectric device 40 for a predetermined time periodeven in the event of an electric power failure.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, a single storage chamberwhere items are stored is provided in the refrigerator. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 5, a freezer compartment and a refrigeratorcompartment are both provided in a refrigerator.

A refrigerator in accordance with embodiments as broadly describedherein includes a case 10, a storage chamber 20 provided in the case 10and a component, or mechanism chamber 30. The case 10 encloses/isolatesan inner space of the refrigerator from an outer space such that adifference between the temperatures inside and outside the refrigeratorcan be generated.

In the mechanism chamber 30 may be provided a compressor 34 forcompressing refrigerant, a condenser 32 for heat-exchanging therefrigerant compressed by the compressor 34, and other components asappropriate. To make the drawings simple, detailed components such asrefrigerant pipes provided in the compressor 34 and the condenser 32 areomitted.

In a freezing cycle, the compressor 34 changes a low temperature andhigh pressure gaseous refrigerant into a high temperature and highpressure gaseous refrigerant. The condenser 32 performs heat exchange tochange the high temperature and high pressure gaseous refrigerant of thecompressor 34 into a high temperature and high pressure fluidrefrigerant.

In other words, heat is generated in the mechanism chamber 30 by thedriving of the compressor 34 and the heat is heat-exchanged with therefrigerant passing through the condenser 32. Accordingly, thetemperature in the inner space of the refrigerator may be maintained ata relatively low level, compared with the temperature outside of therefrigerator.

Items may be stored in the storage chamber 20 and cold air is suppliedto the storage chamber 20 by the refrigerant passing the compressor 34and the condenser 32. Accordingly, the temperature in the storagechamber 20 may be maintained at a relatively low level, compared withthe temperature outside of the case 10 or in the mechanism chamber 30.

When the freezing cycle is formed, the temperature in the storagechamber 20 is the lowest, the temperature in the mechanism chamber 30 isthe highest, and the temperature outside of the case 10 is between thesetwo (lowest and highest) temperature. For example, the temperatureoutside of the case 10 may be approximately 18˜30 ° C. corresponding toa common room temperature. Heat is generated in the mechanism chamber 30by the compressor 34 and the condenser 32 provided in the substantiallyairtight closed chamber. Thus, in this embodiment, the first surface 42is exposed to the mechanism chamber 30 and the second surface 44 isexposed to the outside of the case 10 so that the thermoelectric device40 may generate electricity using the temperature difference between thespaces partitioned by the case 10 and the mechanism chamber 30.

In this instance, a heat transfer member 36 for having the heat of thecondenser 32 transferred thereto may be installed in the first surface42. Typically, heat transmission may be performed not by convection butby conduction. If the first surface 42 is spaced apart from thecondenser 32, the heat of the condenser 32 may be difficult to transferto the first surface 42 sufficiently. Accordingly, the heat transfermember 36 may be used for generating the conduction between thecondenser 32 and the thermoelectric device 40 to transfer the heat.

The heat transfer member 36 may be various types capable of transferringthe heat smoothly, such as, for example, a metallic panel or a metallicpole. The heat transfer member 36 may have a variety of shapes such as,for example, as a curved shape or a stepped shape to transfer the heatto the first surface 42 from the condenser 32 without changing thedesign of the refrigerator.

Different from what is shown in FIG. 2, the heat transfer member 36 mayconnect the compressor 34 and the first surface 42 with each other.While the compressor 34 is driven, heat is generated in the compressor34 and such heat can be transferred to the first surface 42 from thecompressor 34 via the heat transfer member 36 smoothly and efficiently.

Also, the heat transfer member 36 may connect the compressor 34, thecondenser 32 and the first surface 42 with each other. In this instance,not only the heat generated in the compressor 34 but also the heatgenerated in the condenser 32 may be transferred to the first surface 42via conduction.

The first surface 42 may be exposed to the mechanism chamber 30maintaining the relatively high temperature and the second surface 44may be exposed to the outside of the case 10 maintaining the relativelylow temperature. In other words, the temperature of the second surface44 may be relatively higher than the temperature of the first surface42.

Once again, the first surface 42 and the second surface 44 are locatedbetween the spaces having a temperature difference generated while thefreezing cycle of the refrigerator is formed. The surfaces are exposedto the spaces having such the difference between the temperaturesthereof. Accordingly, the temperature difference is generated betweenthe first surface 42 and the second surface 44 and electricity can begenerated based on Seebeck effect or Thermo-electric effect mentionedabove.

The electricity generated by the thermoelectric device 40 may be storedin the electricity storage device 50. Although FIG. 2 shows that theelectricity storage device 50 is installed in the mechanism chamber 30,the electricity storage device 50 may be provided in the case 10 or atvarious locations outside the case 10. Wiring may be provided in theelectricity storage device 50 to transfer the electricity generated bythe thermoelectric device 40 to the storage device 50.

As shown in FIG. 2, the refrigerator may include a display 54 providedon a front surface thereof. The electricity supplied to the display 54may be generated in the thermoelectric device 40. Components provided inthe thermoelectric device 40 such as electric wires are omitted in thedrawings to make them more understandable.

Also, an auxiliary control panel may be provided in the display 54 todisplay the information used when the user controls the temperatureinside the refrigerator or the information notifying whether thethermoelectric device 40 generates electricity.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of another refrigerator as embodiedand broadly described herein. Compared with the embodiment shown in FIG.2, a position of the thermoelectric device 40 is changed, and such adifference will be described in detail as follows.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the first surface 42 of thethermoelectric device 40 is exposed to the mechanism chamber 30 and thesecond surface 44 is exposed to the storage chamber 20. In short, thethermoelectric device 40 is installed in a boundary region between themechanism chamber 30 and the storage chamber 20.

A heat transfer member 36 may be installed at the first surface 42 totransfer the heat of the condenser 32. Alternatively, a heat transfermember 36 may be installed at the first surface 42 to transfer the heatof the compressor 34. In other words, the heat transfer member 36 may beextended from the first surface 42 of the thermoelectric device 40 andit may connect the compressor 34 and the condenser 32 with each other totransfer the heat generated in both of the compressor 34 and thecondenser 32.

The mechanism chamber 30 may maintain the relatively high temperaturebecause of the heat generated by the compressor 34 and the condenser 32while the freezing cycle is formed. In contrast, cold air may besupplied to the storage chamber 20 because of the refrigerant flowaccording to the freezing cycle and the cold air may be stored in thestorage chamber 20. Accordingly, the storage chamber 20 may maintain therelatively low temperature.

Meanwhile, an evaporator 22 may be provided in the storage chamber 20 tosupply cold air to the storage chamber 20. In this instance, theevaporator 22 may be connected with the compressor 34 and the condenser32 to enable the refrigerant to circulate there through. Accordingly,the cold air supply based on the freezing cycle can be performed.

Especially, the second surface 44 may be connected with a cold airtransfer member 38 connected with the evaporator 22. The cold air of theevaporator 22 may be transferred to the second surface 44 and the secondsurface 44 may be cooled at a low temperature. The cold air transfermember 38 may be formed of the same material used for forming the heattransfer member 36.

In other words, the thermoelectric device 40 according to the embodimentshown in FIG. 3 may generate electricity using the difference betweenthe temperatures of the spaces partitioned by the storage chamber 20 andthe mechanism chamber 30. Especially, the first surface 42 may beconnected with the condenser 32 and the compressor 34 by the heattransfer member 36 and the second surface 44 may be connected with theevaporator 22, such that the thermoelectric device 40 may gain asufficient temperature difference between the first surface 42 and thesecond surface 44. The temperature difference between the storagechamber 20 and the mechanism chamber 30 is the largest (among thevarious combinations of the storage chamber 20, the mechanism chamber 30and the outside of the case 10). Accordingly, the electricity that canbe generated in this arrangement may be the largest.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a refrigerator in accordancewith another embodiment. Compared with the previous embodiments, aposition of the thermoelectric device 40 is changed. Such a differencewill be described in detail.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the first surface 42 may be exposedto the outside of the case 10 and the second surface 44 may be exposedto the storage chamber 20. The outside of the case 10 where the firstsurface 42 is exposed may maintain the normal temperature and may beconsidered to be a relatively high temperature when compared to that ofthe storage chamber 20 where the second surface 44 is exposed, which maystore cold air therein and thus may maintain a relatively lowtemperature. In short, the thermoelectric device 40 according to theembodiment shown in FIG. 4 may generate electricity using a temperaturedifference between spaces partitioned by the storage chamber 20 and theoutside of the case 10.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a refrigerator in accordance with anotherembodiment. The refrigerator shown in FIG. 5 is a side by side typerefrigerator having a freezer compartment 12 and a refrigeratorcompartment 14 arranged side by side. The side by side refrigeratorshown in FIG. 5 is selected based on convenient explanation, and thesame/similar principles may be applied to other types of refrigeratorssuch as a top mount type refrigerator having a freezer compartment 12mounted on a refrigerator compartment 14 and a bottom freezer typerefrigerator having a freezer compartment 12 provided under arefrigerator compartment 14.

The inner space of the refrigerator may have a low temperature due to afreezing cycle unit mounted in a mechanism chamber formed in a lowerportion of the case 10, to preserve freshness of items stored in therefrigerator.

The refrigerator shown in FIG. 5 includes a freezer compartment 12 and arefrigerator compartment 14 provided as separate storage chambers. Thefreezer compartment 12 is provided in a left side of the refrigeratorand the refrigerator compartment 14 is provided in a right side of therefrigerator. Typically, the temperature of the freezer compartment 12is maintained below zero (i.e., below a freezing temperature) and thetemperature of the refrigerator compartment 14 is maintained above zero(i.e., above a freezing temperature) higher than that of the freezercompartment 12, to preserve items in a fresh state. Accordingly, atemperature difference is generated between the refrigerator compartment14 and the freezer compartment 12.

A freezer door 13 and a refrigerator door 15 are coupled to therefrigerator to open and close the freezer compartment 12 and therefrigerator compartment 14, respectively. The freezer door 13 and therefrigerator door 15 are rotatably coupled to the case 10 of therefrigerator, to separate an inner space from the outside of therefrigerator.

A storage space may also be provided in the freezer door 13 to enablethe user to store foods therein.

The case 10 includes a partition wall 16 for partitioning an inner spacethereof into the freezer compartment 12 and the refrigerator compartment14. Items are stored in the refrigerator compartment 14 above 0° C. anditems are stored in the freezer compartment 12 below 0° C. As a result,the partition wall 16 may insulate and maintain the temperaturedifference between the refrigerator compartment 14 and the freezercompartment 12.

The thermoelectric device 40 may be installed in the partition wall 16.In other words, the first surface 42 of the thermoelectric device 40 maybe exposed to the refrigerator compartment 14 and the second surface 44of the thermoelectric device 40 may be exposed to the freezercompartment 12.

In this instance, an auxiliary duct may be provided in the partitionwall 16 and the thermoelectric device 40 may be arranged in the duct. Adamper may be provided in the duct to control opening of the duct andthe damper may control the electricity generation of the thermoelectricdevice 40.

The first surface 42 exposed to the refrigerator compartment 14 may beexposed to a relatively high temperature because the temperature of therefrigerator compartment 14 is relatively higher than the temperature ofthe freezer compartment 12. Similarly, the second surface exposed to thefreezer compartment 12 may be exposed to a relatively low temperaturebecause the temperature of the freezer compartment 12 is relativelylower than the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 14. In otherwords, the same temperature difference is generated between the firstsurface 42 and the second surface 44 as the temperature differencebetween the freezer compartment 12 and the refrigerator compartment 14.Accordingly, electricity may be generated based on Seebeck effectmentioned above.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the thermoelectric device 40generates electricity using the temperature difference between thefreezer compartment 12 and the refrigerator compartment 14.

In alternative embodiments, the thermoelectric device 40 provided in thetype of refrigerator shown in FIG. 5 may use the temperature differencebetween the freezer compartment 12 and the outside of the case 10, thetemperature difference between the refrigerator compartment 14 and theoutside of the case 10 and the temperature difference between therefrigerator compartment 14 and the mechanism chamber 30 in generatingelectricity. Such variations may be derived from the embodiment shown inFIG. 5 based on the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 and describedabove by one skilled in the art.

Accordingly, embodiments as broadly described herein may be directed toa refrigerator that is able to save electric energy by producingelectricity using a temperature difference realized by a basic freezingcycle of a refrigerator.

A refrigerator as embodied and broadly described herein may stablysupply an auxiliary electric power even in a special situation whenelectric power is abnormally supplied.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance withembodiments as embodied and broadly described herein, a refrigerator mayinclude a refrigerator includes a case to form a predetermined spaceseparated from an outside; a storage chamber provided in the case, tostore foods therein; a mechanism chamber partitioned off in the case,the mechanism chamber comprising a compressor or a condenser; athermoelectric device to generate electricity by using a temperaturedifference; and a display part to provide information to a user, whereinthe thermoelectric device comprises a first surface exposed to a hightemperature part having a relatively high temperature and a secondsurface exposed to a low temperature part having a relatively lowtemperature, and the display part is driven by the electricity generatedby the thermoelectric device in an electric power failure when anexternal electric power fails to be supplied.

The first surface may be exposed to the mechanism chamber and the secondsurface may be exposed to an outside of the case.

The first surface may be exposed to the mechanism chamber and the secondsurface may be exposed to the storage chamber.

A heat transfer member may be provided in the first surface to transferthe heat of the condenser or the compressor.

A cold air transfer member may be provided in the second surface totransfer cold air of an evaporator.

The first surface may be exposed to the outside of the case and thesecond surface may be exposed to the storage chamber.

The storage chamber may include a freezer compartment and a refrigeratorcompartment, and the case may include a partition wall for partitioningan inner space of the case into the freezer compartment and therefrigerator compartment.

The first surface may be exposed to the refrigerator compartment and thesecond surface may be exposed to the freezer compartment.

The refrigerator may further include an electricity storage part tostore the electricity generated by the thermoelectric device.

A first heat exchanger fin where heat exchange may be enabled is formedin the first surface and a second heat exchanger fin where heat exchangemay be enabled is formed in the second surface.

In another embodiment as broadly described herein, a refrigerator mayinclude a case to form a predetermined space separated from an outside;a storage chamber to store foods therein, the storage chamber wherecooling is performed by cold air supplied by an evaporator; a mechanismchamber comprising a compressor or a condenser; a thermoelectric deviceto generate electricity by using a temperature difference; and a displaypart to provide information to a user, wherein the thermoelectric devicecomprises a first surface connected with the compressor and a secondsurface connected with the evaporator, and the display part is driven bythe electricity generated by the thermoelectric device in an electricpower failure when an external electric power fails to be supplied.

The display may notify the electric power failure to the user when theexternal electric power fails to be supplied.

The refrigerator according to the invention may have following effects.The refrigerator according to the invention may produce the electricityby using the temperature difference generated by the basic freezingcycle and it may save the electric energy.

A refrigerator as embodied and broadly described herein may use thegenerated electricity stored in the electricity storage part after beinggenerated in the thermoelectric device in a special situation whenelectric power is abnormally supplied. Accordingly, the refrigerator mayenhance food storage ability.

Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Theappearances of such phrases in various places in the specification arenot necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic is described inconnection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within thepurview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, orcharacteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number ofillustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerousother modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled inthe art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles ofthis disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modificationsare possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subjectcombination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawingsand the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications inthe component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also beapparent to those skilled in the art.

1. A refrigerator, comprising: a case that defines an interior spacetherein; at least one storage chamber provided in interior space of thecase; a component chamber formed in the case and partitioned from the atleast one storage chamber, the component chamber housing a compressor ora condenser; a thermoelectric device configured to generate electricitybased on a temperature difference between a first location of aplurality of locations of the refrigerator and a second location of theplurality of locations, the plurality of locations including thecomponent chamber, the at least one storage chamber and an outside ofthe case; and a display coupled to the thermoelectric device andconfigured to display information related to operation of therefrigerator, wherein the thermoelectric device comprises a firstsurface exposed to the first location of the plurality of locations anda second surface exposed to the second location of the plurality oflocations, the first location having a first temperature and secondlocation having a second temperature, the first temperature being higherthan the second temperature, and wherein the display is configured to beselectively driven by electricity generated by the thermoelectric devicein an electric power failure when an external electric power fails to besupplied.
 2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the first surface isexposed to the component chamber and the second surface is exposed tothe outside of the case.
 3. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein thefirst surface is exposed to the component chamber and the second surfaceis exposed to the at least one storage chamber.
 4. The refrigerator ofclaim 3, further comprising a heat transfer member coupled to the firstsurface to transfer heat of the condenser or the compressor thereto. 5.The refrigerator of claim 3, further comprising a cold air transfermember coupled to the second surface to transfer cold air of anevaporator thereto.
 6. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the firstsurface is exposed to the outside of the case and the second surface isexposed to the at least one storage chamber.
 7. The refrigerator ofclaim 1, further comprising a partition wall provided in the interiorspace of the case to partition the at least one storage chamber into afreezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment.
 8. The refrigeratorof claim 7, wherein the first surface is exposed to the refrigeratorcompartment and the second surface is exposed to the freezercompartment.
 9. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising: anelectricity storage device configured to receive and store electricitygenerated by the thermoelectric device.
 10. The refrigerator of claim 1,further comprising a first heat exchanger fin provided at the firstsurface and a second heat exchanger fin provided at the second surface,wherein the first and second heat exchanger fins each form heat exchangeareas where heat exchange is performed.
 11. A refrigerator, comprising:a case having an interior space separated from an outside thereof; astorage chamber provided in the inner space of the case; an evaporatorthat supplies cold air to the storage chamber; a mechanism chamberprovided in the inner space of the case and housing at least one of acompressor or a condenser; a display configured to display informationrelated to operation of the refrigerator; and a thermoelectric device,comprising: a first surface connected with the at least one of thecompressor or condenser; and a second surface connected with theevaporator, wherein the thermoelectric device generates electricitybased on a temperature difference between the first and second surfaces,and wherein the display is selectively driven by electricity generatedby the thermoelectric device in an electric power failure when anexternal electric power fails to be supplied.
 12. The refrigerator ofclaim 11, wherein the display generates notification of a power failurewhen a supply of power is interrupted.